R Ramchandran, the motorman who died in the Thane local train tragedy last week, has been recommended for the President's bravery award.
R Ramchandran, the motorman who died in the Thane local train tragedy last week, has been recommended for the President's bravery award.
N Haridasan, divisional secretary of the National Railway Mazdoor Union, which has an affiliation with 75 per cent of the motormen, said, "Ramchandran deserves the President's award because had it not been for him, and his immediate action of slamming the emergency brakes, the number of fatalities would have gone up."
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Hero: R Ramchandran, the motorman who died in the Thane local train tragedy last week |
The Central Railways (CR) administration department also plans to suggest his name for the President's bravery award.
The union is also trying to get his wife a job in the railways. "She is already working in the post and telegraph department, but if she wants to take the railway job, that's entirely her choice," said a union member.
A Dombivli resident, Ramchandran, joined the railways as an assistant driver in 1988 and became a motorman in 2002.
Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee declared an ex-gratia sum of Rs 10 lakh in addition to the Rs 5 lakh announced earlier to Ramchandran's family for his brave act.
The Thane Municipal Corporation also announced a Rs 2-lakh reward for them. The railway also has plans for Ramchandran's statue at CST. "We are discussing it. There is no concrete plan," said a source in CR.
